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NIXLE: EMA eager to use alert system for winter information

COLUMBIA CITY — With ice-covered roads and snowy conditions expected to come along with winter’s chill, Emergency Management Agency Director Cathy Broxon-Ball said she is pleased to know weather information can be received by local residents in an instant — through the Nixle Community Information Service.The service, which was launched Nov. 1, is a county-wide effort between Whitley County Sheriff’s Department dispatch, the Whitley County Emergency Management Department, the City of Columbia City, the towns of Churubusco and South Whitley and the Whitley County Highway Department. It allows instant access to alerts and advisories via text message, e-mail or online.“I think this is going to be very useful with winter approaching and the roads being slick and hazardous,” said Broxon-Ball. “Since we’ve been using this, I’ve sent out several alerts on road closures due to vehicle accidents.”Broxon-Ball said she can also post information she receives from the state police on Silver and Amber Alerts — getting the information out to the public as quickly as possible.“It’s nice to have and so far it’s been well received,” said Broxon-Ball.At one point, Broxon-Ball said she knew approximately 109 people had signed up for the free service.“We’ve had several positive calls on the service, but we’d still like to see more people sign up for this,” said Broxon-Ball.To sign up for Nixle, visit www.nixle.com.For a more in depth look at this story, see the Nov. 26 issue of The Post and Mail. Don't have a subscription? Call (260) 244-5153 or subscribe to our e-edition. For breaking news, sports updates and additional coverage, bookmark the homepage and find us on facebook.